Apparatus for cleaning gravel and the like

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for separating and removing lightweight deleterious material from gravel, ore and the like which comprises a tank having a revolvable, generally cylindrical dewatering wheel therein. The dewatering wheel has a plurality of lifting elements thereon which receives the heavier material, such as gravel, ore and the like, from an opening in an inclined chute which extends below the surface of the water. The chute has a discharge end located below the surface of the water through which water entrained lightweight material is discharged. A discharge chute receives the dewatered, separated heavier material from the dewatering wheel and conveys the same to the exterior.

United States Patent Garland [54] APPARATUS FOR CLEANING GRAVEL AND THE LIKE [72] Inventor: Theodore F. Garland, Crosby, Minn. [73] Assignee: Garland Manufacturing Company,

Crosby, Minn.

[22] Filed: Aug. 6, 1970 [21] Appl. No; 61,655

[52] U.S.Cl ..209/160 [51] Int. Cl. ..B03b 3/34 [58] Field of Search ..209/158-161 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,055,161 9/1936 Vissac ..209/158' 3,385,432 /1968 Overall et a1. ..209/158 1,442,199 1/1923 Wahl ..209/159 1,949,354 2/1934 Burnside ..209/158 2,025,841 12/1935 Young ..309/158 2,833,411 6/1958 Bosman et al. ..209/158 2,075,593 3/1937 Sveinsson ..209/158 3,190,729 6/1965 Emmett et al. ..209/158 9." 48 7 7 1.0L 44 r a O 3' 0 l I 9 o 62 g H 3 t. 17 M o 1 f 19 m. 2562 I .E

256 l/ i .Q 14-j l4 12- 14c 57 0. 'n

Oct. 3, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 699,134 10/1953 Great Britain ..209/158 319,591 2/1957 Switzerland ..210/161 Primary ExaminerTim R. Miles Att0rney-Williamson, Palmatier & Bains, George F. Williamson, H. Dale Palmatier and Herman l-l. Bains 57 ABSTRACT Apparatus for separating and removing lightweight deleterious material from gravel, ore and the like which comprises a tank having a revolvable, generally cylindrical dewatering wheel therein. The dewatering wheel has a plurality of lifting elements thereon which receives the heavier material, such as gravel, ore and I 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEBum 3 m2 SHEET 2 OF 3 wmn Q INVENTOR. Z a-0.004% K64194110 ATTOEUEHS' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide a high capacity, compact apparatus, of simple and inexpensive construction, for use in effectively separating lightweight deleterious material from gravel, ore and the like.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a material separating apparatus including a dewatering wheel revolvably mounted in a tank containing water, into which the material to be separated is introduced by means of a unique infeed chute which discharges the heavier ore,'gravel or the like, onto the lifting elements of a revolving dewateringwheel while the lightweight deleterious material is entrained in water which is discharged from the tank.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side view of the invention, partly in section and partly in elevation, illustrating the flow pattern of the material being separated;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of a modified form of the invention, partly in section and partly in elevation, also illustrating the flow pattern of the material being separated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, and more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that one embodiment of the material separating apparatus, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, is thereshown. This apparatus is especially adapted for use in removing lightweight deleterious material such as grass, roots, twigs, wood chips and the like, from heavier material such as gravel, ore and the like. The apparatus includes a generally rectangular shaped tank 11 which is comprised of a rear wall 12, front wall 13, opposed side walls 14 and a generally channel shaped bottom wall. This bottom wall includes a horizontal central portion 15 and inclined portions 15c which interconnect the central portion with the side walls. The tank 11 is adapted to contain a predetermined amount of water and is mounted on a suitable base 16.

An infeed structure is provided for introducing material to be cleaned into the apparatus. This infeed structure includes a generally inclined chute 17 which is of generally channel shaped configuration including a bottom wall 18 having upstanding side walls 19 integral therewith. This inclined chute 17 is provided with an upwardly opening inlet 20 through which the material to be separated is introduced. It will be noted that the inclined infeed chute extends completely through the tank and has an opening 21 therein. A depending end wall 22 extends downwardly from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 18 defining the downstream edge of the opening 21.

The discharge opening is adjustable to control the velocity of the uprising water current which passes through this opening. To this end, a lower wall 18 of the chute .17 has an angular plate 23 secured thereto by bolt and nut assemblies 23b. The nut and bolt assemblies 23b extend through an elongate slot in the angular plate 23 and through an opening in the lower wall 18 of the chute 17. With this arrangement, the plate 23 may be adjusted longitudinally relative to the chute 17.

The angular plate 23 has a depending spout portion 230 integrally formed therewith and depending therefrom. The spout portion as shown is spaced from the depending end wall 22 and is positioned between the depending side walls 22b so that a depending spout projects downwardly from the inclined chute intermediate the ends thereof,

It will be seen from FIG. 1 that the lower wall of the inclined chute 17 is offset upwardly adjacent the lower end portion of the chute as at 18b. This upwardly offset portion defines a weir 25 the function of which will be defined more fully hereinbelow. The downwardly projecting spout defined by the depending end wall 22, the depending side walls 22b, and the spout portion 23c is generally referred to as 24.

It is pointed out that the opening for the spout 24 may be readily adjusted by shifting the angular plate 23 longitudinally with respect to the inclined chute 17. Thus when the plate is moved longitudinally downwardly with respect to the chute 17, the opening for the spout 24 is reduced, conversely by moving the angular plate 23 longitudinally upwardly, the spout opening is increased. By adjusting the size of the opening of the spout, the velocity of the uprising water current which passes through the spout and thereafter overflows at the weir 25 may be readily adjusted. Thus the cleaning action of the apparatus may be adjusted by adjusting the opening for the spout 24.

A reciprocating screen device 26 is positioned exteriorly of the tank 11 and below the outlet 22 of the discharge section 21. The screen device includes upstanding side walls 27 which are interconnected by a pervious mesh screen 28. Suitable eccentric drive means 29 are connected to a source of power so that the eccentric drive means 29 are revolved to cause reciprocation of this screen device 26 in a well known manner. Reciprocation of the screen device 26 causes the particulate lightweight material which collects on the upper surface thereof to be progressively discharged over the lower end edge thereof. In this regard, it will be noted that the screen device 26 is also inclined downwardly and forwardly.

An open top water reclaiming tank 30 is positioned below the reciprocating screen device 26 and is adapted to receive the water passing through the tank and to circulate the water into the tank 11. The water reclaiming tank is of generally rectangular configuration having upstanding peripheral walls 33 and a bottom wall and is also positioned upon the base 16. It will be noted that the water reclaiming tank 30 is disposed in side-by-side relation with respect to the tank 11 and has a common wall therewith. A conduit 31 intercommunicates the lower end portion of the water reclaiming tank 30 with the lower portion of the tank 1 1.

A multi-bladed impeller 32 is mounted on a shaft 33 which extends through the conduit 21. The shaft 33 is connected by a coupling 34 to an output shaft 35 of an electric motor 36. The electric motor 36 is located exteriorly of the tank 11 and is connected by suitable electrical conductors to a source of electrical current. It will be noted that the multi-bladed impeller 32 is located interiorly of the conduit whereby when the motor 36 is energized, the shaft and impeller will be rotated thereby causing circulation of the water from the reclaiming tank into the tank 1 1. The tank 1 l is also provided with a supply conduit 37 which is connected to a source of water under pressure.

Means are provided for removing the heavier separated material from the tank and this means includes a dewatering wheel device 38 which is of generally cylindrical configuration. It will be noted that the axis of the dewatering wheel is horizontally oriented and that at least a portion of the wheel extends below the surface of the water. It will also be noted that the inclined chute 17 projects through the dewatering wheel.

The dewatering wheel 38 has a pair of axially spaced apart annular flanges 39 affixed thereto and projecting radially inwardly therefrom. A plurality of flights or lifting elements 40 are affixed to the inner surface of the dewatering wheel and extend axially between the flanges 39. These lifting elements 40 are preferably of perforate construction and as shown are arranged throughout the inner circumference of the wheel. These lifting elements are adapted to receive the heavier material which is discharged through the downwardly extending spout 24 and to lift the heavier material from the water so this material can be discharged from the tank.

The dewatering wheel device 38 is revolvable and means are therefore provided for power revolving the wheel relative to the tank 11. lt will be noted that the annular flanges 39 are spaced axially inwardly from the ends of the dewatering wheel so that annular bearing surfaces 41 are defined between each annular flange and the adjacent end of the dewatering wheel. Two pairs of drive rollers 42 are provided, each roller having an annular rubber exterior member and each roller 42 including a hub 44. A pair of axially spaced apart rollers are mounted on a common shaft 45.

Two such shafts 45 are provided which are disposed in parallel relation with respect to each other, and each shaft 45 has opposite end portions thereofjournalled in suitable pillar bearings 46, each pillar bearing bearing being mounted by bracket 47 located on the upper exterior portion of the tank 11. Each shaft 45 has a sprocket 48 affixed thereto for rotation therewith. Although not shown in the drawing, each sprocket 48 has an endless drive chain trained thereover which is also trained over a drive sprocket secured to the output shaft of a power source, such as an electric motor. Thus, when the electric motor is energized, the sprockets 48 are driven thereby revolving the shafts 45, the drive rollers 42 and the dewatering wheel. The .drive rollers 42 not only drive the dewatering wheel 38, but also support the same in suspended relation within the tank 11.

Means are provided for removing the separated heavier material from the tank 11. This means includes a discharge chute 49 which is of generally channel shaped configuration and is inclined downwardly and forwardly. The discharge chute 49 includes a substantially flat bottom wall 50 having upstanding side walls integrally formed therewith. The upper inner end of the discharge chute 49 projects interiorly of the dewatering wheel device above the level of the water and is adapted to receive the heavier material as it falls by acthrough which the dewatered separated heavier material is discharged.

It will be noted that a pair of similar semi-circular flanges 14b are rigidly affixed to the inner surface of each of the opposed side walls 14. A pair of rubber flashing members 39b are each secured to one of the flanges 14b by nut and bolt assemblies 140. Each of these flexible flashing members projects axially inwardly towards each other and each terminates closely adjacent one of the annular flanges 39 of the dewatering wheel 38.

Thus the interior of the tank is divided into an interior chamber 141' and an outer chamber 140. The inner chamber is defined interiorly of the dewatering wheel while the outer chamber is defined by that portion located below the dewatering wheel and below the rubber flashing member. In this regard, it will be noted that the rubber flashing members 39b are each disposed closely adjacent one of the annular flanges 39 but are spaced slightly therefrom so that a semi-circular relatively narrow opening 39d is defined between each flange 39 and the adjacent rubber flashing. With this arrangement, the water flows from the outer chamber 140 into the inner chamber l4i through the narrow openings 39d defined between flanges 39 and the adjacent rubber flashings. Thus none of the heavier material or gravel is able to pass from the inner chamber to the outer chamber whereby the gravel or heavier material is retained completely within the dewatering wheel. Therefore the water currents prevent any material flowing into the outer chamber since the currents are forced to pass through a relatively narrow opening.

in operation, material being cleaned will be introduced through the inlet 20 and fall by action of gravity downwardly along the incline chute 17 which extends into the tank 11. The lightweight deleterious material, such as grass, roots, twigs and the like, will be entrained and stratified in the water because of inherent buoyancy, while the heavier material will generally slide along the lower wall of the incline chute and through the spout 24. The offset lower wall of the incline chute which defines a weir 25 prevents any of the heavier material from being discharged through the outlet 22b of the chute.

The lightweight deleterious material will be discharged upon the vibrating screen device 26 and as the screen is vibrated, the material will be progressively moved along the screen and discharged over the outer lower end thereof. The water in which the deleterious material is entrained will flow through the screen device into the water reclaiming tank 30. The electric motor 36 which will be energized will cause the water to be circulated from the reclaiming tank into the tank 11, thus economizing the use of water. Any loss of water from the tank 11 will be replenished by means of the inlet conduit 37.

The heavier material which is discharged through the opening in the lower wall of the inclined chute 17 will fall upon the interior surface of the dewatering wheel device. The material will collect in the compartments defined by the lift elements and annular flanges 39 to be progressively lifted by the lift elements from the water surface and discharged by action of gravity into the discharge chute 49. The material will move downwardly along the incline discharge chute by action of gravity to be discharged from the lower end of the extension thereof where the cleaned material may be collected.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen that a different embodiment of the material separating apparatus, designated generally by the reference numeral 100, is there shown. This apparatus also includes a generally rectangular shaped tank 110 comprised of a rear wall 120, front wall 13a, opposed side walls 14a and a generally channel shaped bottom wall. The bottom wall includes inclined portions 15a which converge downwardly to a central horizontal portion 15b. The tank is mounted on a suitable base 16a and includes a generally inclined infeed structure or chute 17a. The infeed chute 17a has a substantially flat bottom wall 18a and upstanding side walls 17a integrally formed therewith. The inclined chute extends below the surface of the water and it will be noted that the inclined chute extends completely through the tank and has an outlet 22a located in the front wall 13a. This outlet is located below the surface of the water and communicates with a generally rectangular shaped discharge vertically oriented spout or conduit 26 a. The lightweight deleterious material is discharged through the discharge spout 26a.

The lower wall 18a of the chute terminates substantially centrally of the tank 11 and an oppositely inclined lower wall 21a has an upper end which, together with the side walls, defines the outlet 22a of the inclined chute. The lower inner end of the inclined wall 21a is spaced from the lower end of the lower wall 18a to define an opening 24a which faces generally downwardly and which is located below the surface of the water.

A dewatering wheel device 38a is also provided and is identical in construction to the dewatering wheel device 38 of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The dewatering wheel device has a pair of axially spaced apart annular flanges 39a projecting radially inwardly therefrom, these annular flanges being spaced inwardly from opposite ends of the dewatering wheel. A plurality of flights or lifting elements 40a are affixed to the inner surface of the dewatering wheel device 38a and extend between the annular flanges 39a. These lifting elements are of perforate construction and extend throughout the inner circumferential surfaces of the dewatering wheel. Annular bearing surfaces 41a are defined between each annular flange 39a and the adjacent end of the dewatering wheel in the manner of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Two pairs of drive rollers 42a are provided, each drive roller provided with an annular rubber exterior faces and each roller including a hub 44a. The hub 44a for each roller is fixedly mounted on an elongate shaft 45a, two such shafts being provided for each pair of drive rollers. Opposite ends of the shaft 45a are journalled in suitable pillar bearings 46a, the pillar bearings being supported by brackets 47a secured to the upper exterior portions of the tank 11a. Sprockets 48a are affixed to the ends of the shafts and drive chains are trained over the sprockets, although such chains are not shown in the drawing.

A discharge chute 49a, of generally channel shaped configuration, is provided and is inclined downwardly and forwardly. The discharge chute includes a bottom wall 50a and upstanding side walls 51a that are integral with the bottom wall. The inner end of the discharge chute is positioned interiorly of the dewatering wheel and is adapted to receive the heavier separated material, such as gravel, ore or the like, from the dewatering wheel and to convey this material by action of gravity from the tank for collection. The apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3 is adapted for use wherein the water supply is plentiful and wherein it would be of no economic advantage to recirculate the water. Thus, the lightweight deleterious material will be entrained in the water and be stratified as the material enters the water from the chute 17a. This lightweight material is then discharged from the tank in the entrained water which overflows from the outlet 22a. The heavier material will be discharged through the opening 24a as it slides by action of gravity below the surface of the water along the inclined chute. The oppositely inclined bottom wall 21a acts as a weir and prevents the heavier material from being discharged through the outlet 22a. The heavier material will be discharged upon the inner surface of the dewatering wheel and will be elevated by the lifting elements and removed from the water and discharged upon the discharge chute 49a.

The chamber 1 1a is also provided with a pair of semicircular flanges 14f which are similar in construction and location to the flanges 14b of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2. These flanges mount semi-circular rubber flashings 39f thereon by means of nut and bolt assemblies 39g. The rubber flashings project inwardly into close proximal relation to the flanges 39a so that a relatively narrow opening 39h is defined between each flange 39a and the associated rubber flashing 39f. Thus the passages 39h is the only communication between the inner chamber 14m and the outer chamber l4n of the tank 1 1a.

In this regard, it will be noted that the inner chamber is defined interiorly of the dewatering wheel and above the rubber flashings and flanges 14f, while the outer chamber is located below the dewatering wheel and below the flanges and rubber flashings. Again it is pointed out that the narrow passage 39h between the inner and outer chambers permits the water currents to flow interiorly into the dewatering wheel and upwardly with respect thereto and prevents any of the gravel or heavier material from flowing outwardly into the outer chamber.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provided a novel apparatus which is especially adaptable for use in separating heavy material such as ore, gravel or the like, from lightweight deleterious material, such as grass, roots, twigs, wood chips and the like. The present apparatus is of relatively simple and inexpensive construction and operation, and utilizes very little power as compared to other conventional material separating systems. Because of its relatively simple and inexpensive construction, operational costs are low, although it is'of high capacity capability. It is further pointed out that the apparatus, because of its rather compact arrangement, is of lightweight construction and requires substantially less floor space than comparable machines. Further, the overall operation of the present apparatus produces little vibration as compared to conventional system.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a novel material cleaning and separating apparatus which is not only of simple and inexpensive constructions, but one which functions in a more efficient manner than any heretofore known comparable system.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for separating lightweight deleterious material from heavier material such as gravel, ore or the like, comprising a tank adapted to contain a predetermined amount of water,

a revolvable vertically oriented cylindrical dewatering wheel structure having a portion thereof extending into the tank below the surface of the water and having portion thereof extending upwardly above the surface of the water, the axis of rotation of said wheel structure being horizontally oriented,

a plurality of rollers positioned above the surface of the water and engaging the inner surface of said wheel structure adjacent the upper portion thereof to revolvably support the same,

means connected to said rollers for driving the rollers,

a plurality of spaced apart lift elements affixed to the inner surface of said dewatering wheel,

an elongate inclined infeed chute having inlet and an outlet and extending downwardly and forwardly into said tank below the surface of the water and interiorly of and through the dewatering wheel, said chute inlet being located exteriorly of the tank and wheel structure and receiving material to be separated, said outlet located exteriorly of the tank and below the water level, an opening in the infeed chute located interiorly of said dewatering wheel and facing generally downwardly, a wall element,

between said opening and said outlet of said infeed chute obstructing the path of the heavier material whereby the heavier material will pass by action of gravity through said opening, and whereby the lightweight material will be carried from the tank by water overflowing through said outlet, said heavier material falling interiorly of said wheel structure and lifted by the lifting elements thereof,

an elongate inclined discharge chute having an inlet end located interiorly of said dewatering wheel above the surface of the water in the tank and above the infeed chute and receiving said heavier material from said lifting element, and having an outlet end located exteriorly of said tank.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said inclined chute includes a substantially flat lower wall and upstanding side walls, said lower wall being offset adjacent said opening to define said obstructing wall element.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 and a vibrating screen positioned adjacent and below the outlet of said infeed chute to receive water and entrained lightweight material thereon, a reclaiming tank positioned below the vibrating screen and communicating with said first mentioned tank to return water discharged through the outlet of the infeed structure to said first mentioned tank.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 and means for circulating water from said reclaiming tank to said first mentioned tank. 

1. Apparatus for separating lightweight deleterious material from heavier material such as gravel, ore or the like, comprising a tank adapted to contain a predetermined amount of water, a revolvable vertically oriented cylindrical dewatering wheel structure having a portion thereof extending into the tank below the surface of the water and having portion thereof extending upwardly above the surface of the water, the axis of rotation of said wheel structure being horizontally oriented, a plurality of rollers positioned above the surface of the water and engaging the inner surface of said wheel structure adjacent the upper portion thereof to revolvably support the same, means connected to said rollers for driving the rollers, a plurality of spaced apart lift elements affixed to the inner surface of said dewatering wheel, an elongate inclined infeed chute having inlet and an outlet and extending downwardly and forwardly into said tank below the surface of the water and interiorly of and through the dewatering wheel, said chute inlet being located exteriorly of the tank and wheel structure and receiving material to be separated, said outlet located exteriorly of the tank and below the water level, an opening in the infeed chute located interiorly of said dewatering wheel and facing generally downwardly, a wall element between said opening and said outlet of said infeed chute obstructing the path of the heavier material whereby the heavier material will pass by action of gravity through said opening, and whereby the lightweight material will be carried from the tank by water overflowing through said outlet, said heavier material falling interiorly of said wheel structure and lifted by the lifting elements thereof, an elongate inclined discharge chute having an inlet end located interiorly of said dewatering wheel above the surface of the water in the tank and above the infeed chute and receiving said heavier material from said lifting element, and having an outlet end located exteriorly of said tank.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said inclined chute includes a substantially flat lower wall and upstanding side walls, said lower wall being offset adjacent said opening to define said obstructing wall element.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 and a vibrating screen positioned adjacent and below the outlet of said infeed chute to receive water and entrained lightweight material thereon, a reclaiming tank positioned below the vibrating screen and communicating with said first mentioned tank to return water discharged through the outlet of the infeed structure to said first mentioned tank.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 and means for circulating water from said reclaiming tank to said first mentioned tank. 